LSUA vs. McNeese

Comparable Facts

Compare Louisiana State University Alexandria in Alexandria, LA with McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Louisiana State University Alexandria is larger than McNeese based on total student enrollment (6,815 students vs. 6,241 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Louisiana State University Alexandria is located in Alexandria, LA (Rural Fringe setting); McNeese State University is in Lake Charles, LA (Small City setting).
• Louisiana State University Alexandria is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. McNeese State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Louisiana State University Alexandria 33:1; McNeese State University 20:1.

LSUA vs. McNeese Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, LSUA or McNeese? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Louisiana State University Alexandria than McNeese ($8,296 vs. $12,430).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Louisiana State University Alexandria are 9.8% lower than at McNeese State University ($9,598 vs. $10,644).
• McNeese State University is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than LSUA (about $1,439 more per year; $8,489.00 vs. $7,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 46.7% higher at LSUA than at McNeese State University (about $4,661 more per year; $14,650.00 vs. $9,989.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at McNeese State University than at Louisiana State University Alexandria (88% vs. 86%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by McNeese State University students is 27.6% larger than aid received by Louisiana State University Alexandria students ($9,649 vs. $7,561).

LSUA vs. McNeese Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, LSUA or McNeese? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between McNeese and LSUA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Louisiana State University Alexandria (1100) is 30 points higher than at McNeese (1070).
• Incoming McNeese students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (20 vs. 19 at LSUA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University Alexandria 970/1220; McNeese State University 940/1198.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Louisiana State University Alexandria 17/22; McNeese State University 18/23.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: LSUA - Required; McNeese - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman McNeese students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.36) than students at LSUA (3.16).
• LSUA has a higher acceptance rate (92.1%) than McNeese (78.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 66.6% at LSUA vs. 38.2% at McNeese.

LSUA vs. McNeese Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for LSUA and McNeese? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• McNeese State University's six-year graduation rate (37%) is higher than Louisiana State University Alexandria's (12%).
• Graduates from McNeese State University earn a median of about $8,300 more per year than LSUA graduates about ten years after starting college ($44,000 vs. $35,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Louisiana State University Alexandria graduates have a $2,531 lower median loan debt than McNeese graduates ($17,707 vs. $20,238).
• Among borrowers, LSUA graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than McNeese graduates ($183 vs. $209).
• More McNeese graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former LSUA students, three years after graduation. (49% vs. 46%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.